A one-day operation held in Basildon earlier this month resulted in three people being arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

The operation was part of wider efforts to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads, including the Christmas 2017 anti-drink and drug drive campaign which resulted in 148 arrests.

During the operation in Basildon, 38 drivers were apprehended for not wearing a seatbelt and eight were found to be travelling in excess of the speed limit.

A further five drivers were found to be using their mobile phone while driving and three failed to stop at a red light.

Two drivers were found to be driving without valid insurance and had their cars seized, while one driver was reported to the DVLA for driving without valid tax on their vehicle.

A further two drivers were found to be driving without a valid MOT and one driver was dealt with for having a tyre below the legal limit. Two drivers were dealt with for obstruction after they were found parking on zig zag markings outside a school.

Matt Hine, Essex Police, said:

“We’re better equipped than ever to detect those that drive while under the influence of drink and drugs.

“If you take the risk, it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught and put before the courts.”